NFL 2012

[crimsonfloyd]

Carr would be a big pickup for the Cowboys.

Redskins totally overpay a handful of second and third tier receivers. Certainly an improvement over what they had, but they paid way too much, considering the talent level.

Eagles extend T/G Todd Herremans and DE Trent Cole. Good moves. Those two have been two of the most consistent players on the Eagles roster. Now I would really like to see the Eagles resign G Evan Mathis. He played so well last year. If he's back in the mix, then I think the Eagles O-line can be elite in 2012.

 

[Dak]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7686265/dallas-cowboys-sign-quarterback-kyle-orton-three-year-deal

Having made no secret of wanting a strong, veteran presence behind Tony Romo as the team's backup quarterback, the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement with Kyle Orton on a three-year contract, a league source said Wednesday.

Edit: Sources claim Carr/Conner deals will be announced this afternoon.

 

[skeptik]

Redskins totally overpay a handful of second and third tier receivers. Certainly an improvement over what they had, but they paid way too much, considering the talent level.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as these new deals fell. That Garcon contract is ridiculous. It's also inflating the market for new WR contracts. The franchise tag will probably be over $10 for WRs next year now.

The Lions signed Calvin Johnson to a new contract (tearing up the previous one) worth $130M over 8 years. $53M guaranteed. If there's any receiver that deserves that, I suppose it would be him.

The Chargers re-signed Jared Gaithers. Good move by them. They also signed former Ravens LB Jarret Johnson. Losing Johnson could be a big deal for the Ravens. They need to rebuild their linebacking corps soon with the approaching retirement of Lewis, and they're expecting to draft a new C in the first round this year with Matt Birk likely to retire after this season as well.

Another former Raven, DE Cory Redding, joins his former DC Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis.

CB Eric Wright signed with Tampa Bay, which may be the end for Ronde Barber. He's a starting caliber CB, but far from elite.

The Bears also signed Eric Weems. He should provide decent depth at WR for them.

Former Bengals DE Frostee Rucker, who they could afford to lose, signs with the Browns. Now the Browns' line is starting to look formidable with Rucker, Jabaal Sheard, Ahtyba Rubin, and Phil Taylor.

On the other hand, the Bengals also lost Jonathan Fanene to the Patriots, so their d-line depth is depleting.

 

[Dak]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/nick_eatman.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=1990bfd1-c6a9-4728-af3f-a229e85b981c&plckPostId=Blog%3a1990bfd1-c6a9-4728-af3f-a229e85b981cPost%3a9f23740f-c751-4fed-9c58-ba3e46350c35&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Martellus Bennett signs with the NYG.

 

[Dak]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7686265/dallas-cowboys-add-brandon-carr-kyle-orton-sources-say

Carr reportedly signed to a 5 yr/50 mil deal. Finally, a headline FA signing for someone in their mid 20s, not 30s.

Also:

Fullback Lawrence Vickers, a six-year veteran who played for the Houston Texans, agreed to terms with the Cowboys, according to a source. Terms were not disclosed. Vickers played in 14 games last season as the lead blocker for Arian Foster.

Offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau agreed to a deal, according to a source. The 6-4, 308-pound guard started 20 games over the past four seasons with the Carolina Panthers after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft out of Bentley College.

 

[Alteredmindeath]

Welcome to the Niners Moss.

 

[skeptik]

Supposedly the Redskins are also close to signing Eddie Royal. So Robert Griffin III will be throwing to Pierre Garcon, Eddie Royal, and Josh Morgan...anybody intimidated yet?

Here's an article on the Redskins going after these 2nd and 3rd tier receivers: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...ind-spending-for-redskins-but-wheres-the-beef

 

[Dak]

I think Eddie Royal is possibly underrated. No matter who they sign, this is better than tier 2/3 QBs trying to find some way to get the ball to S Moss.


Edit: http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/josh_ellis.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090&plckPostId=Blog%3a8ad9a5ae-68fd-47d1-a7d7-e4c8fcb84090Post%3a80534029-533d-493d-a07e-06f2cd1fb898&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Add Jets safety Brodney Pool to the list of free agents who have come through Valley Ranch since Tuesday.

The seven-year veteran has started 67 games in his career, and has played for Rob Ryan in Cleveland and Rex Ryan in New York. With the Browns, he also worked under current Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Henderson.

For the second straight night, the team is entertaining free agents at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Expected to join Pool are Bears tight end Kellen Davis and Panthers linebacker Dan Connor, who also toured Valley Ranch on Wednesday.

Pool, the 34th overall pick in 2005 draft, grew up in Texas and played college football at Oklahoma. The 6-2, 214-pounder will turn 28 in May.

A week before free agency began, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett suggested the plan was to address all needs so as to allow the team to truly pick the best available players in April's draft.

That's indeed been the strategy, as the Cowboys have already signed a cornerback, a guard, a backup quarterback and a fullback. Connor, Davis and Pool are all potentially key contributors at other positions of need.

 

[skeptik]

DeSean Jackson gets a 5 year, $48.5M deal. I am certain that all of these WR contracts are designed solely to destroy the Steelers' chances of signing Mike Wallace long-term.

 

[Dak]

Leak that Laurent Robinson signed 5 yr 32 mil contract with the Jaguars. Certainly wasn't going to get that payday from Dallas to be #3.

Edit: Confirmed

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/rob_phillips.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&userid=e062d34a-fb8f-4a56-ba5a-fb802447d7f5&plckPostId=Blog%3ae062d34a-fb8f-4a56-ba5a-fb802447d7f5Post%3ae5d70621-72fe-4c75-8291-4c80a27fb9ba&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

 

[Dak]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8279b865/article/peyton-hillis-leaves-browns-for-fresh-start-with-chiefs

Chiefs sign Peyton Hillis.

 

[skeptik]

That's a hell of a contract for Robinson. Another benchmark for Wallace to use in contract negotiations...guess the price of receivers is going up as the league converts to a passing league.

Also, good move by the Chiefs. They'll need to replace Thomas Jones some day, and he'll be a nice complement to Jamaal Charles behind that o-line.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

Good deal by the Eagles with Jackson. They pay him a lot during 12 and 13, but can easily cut him afterwards with little financial ramifications if he starts acting up again. Now lets hope that with his contract done he returns to form.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

The Bills are really struggling to get a deal done with Mario Williams. Looks like he's leaving Buffalo and supposedly "returning" on Thursday, though that doesn't seem like a lock at all. I'd feel pretty bad for Bills fans if they don't get the deal done after all this work. When was the last time there was good news in Buffalo?

 

[Dak]

When was the last time there was good news in Buffalo?

5-0 start last year wasn't it?

 

[crimsonfloyd]

3-0, then 5-2 before finishing 6-10. But everyone kinda felt like that start was fools gold, right?

 

[Dak]

Everyone except Buffalo fans probably lol

 

[skeptik]

Mario Williams agrees to a 6 year, $96M contract with the Bills, $50M guaranteed. They now have a hell of a formidable defensive line.

The Saints acquire Ben Grubbs to replace Carl Nicks for 5 years, $36M. Not a bad consolation prize, but at a cost.

Brodney Pool's deal with the Cowboys is now official as well.

 

[skeptik]

Somewhat big news for the Steelers: NT Casey Hampton restructures his contract to provide the team with some much needed cap relief, becoming the 6th Steeler to do so. The team was around $1.5M under the salary cap prior to this deal after tendering their exclusive rights and restricted free agents. His restructure (including an elimination of a $1M workout bonus, which is essentially a pay cut) provides another $3M for the Steelers to play with, leaving them with approximately $4.5M, unless they make another move or two. They still have the option of restructuring the contracts of James Harrison or Troy Polamalu, for example. But with this money, they can pursue re-signing their own unrestricted free agents, namely Jerricho Cotchery, William Gay, and either Byron Leftwich or Charlie Batch. Possibly Trai Essex as well. Or they could use it as protection against losing Wallace.

Edit: Actually, this is not a restructure after all, this is a straight pay cut. Since this is the last year of his deal, and they added on no years, there was nothing else they could do but ask him to take a pay cut. The workout bonus was easy enough to dispose of because he will be spending the offseason recovering from a torn ACL, but otherwise, he took a $2M pay cut in his base salary.

 

[Dak]

Cowboys fail to sign Kellen Davis, who resigns with the Bears.

Bengals gaurd Nate Livings is visiting the Ranch.